Image forming apparatus, control method, and control program

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus receives a printing job from an information processing apparatus and prints the printing job, wherein confirmation printing to confirm the printed material of the printing job is instructed. If the sheet used with the confirmation print is a specialized sheet, printing is performed using the same type of sheet for the confirmation printing and the main printing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus whichexecutes printing processing based on a printing job received from aninformation processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

A photocopier and printer, having a tab facing mode which can outputprinted material with tabbed sheets (also called tab sheets) inserted inpredetermined positions of printed material output from an image formingapparatus, for example, have been proposed. Tabbed sheets of apredetermined number are combined to be one set, and for example, forfive-tab sheets, five sheets make up one set.

In the case that tab facing positions are only set in three locations,if tabbed sheets where five sheets make up one set are used, after thefirst through third sheets are used, the fourth and fifth tabbed sheetsremain within the image forming apparatus. In this case, the page firstusing a tab sheet in the next set will be printed using the fourth tabsheet, whereby the user may not obtain desired printed material.

Thus, a method has been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2002-003063 wherein a user sets the photocopier by removing the extratabbed sheet before printing or automatically outputting the extratabbed sheets for each set.

In a printing environment such as a POD market, the quality of printedmaterial as product is highly valued. Accordingly, a function has beenproposed to execute printing for confirmation (also may be called“confirmation printing”) according to user instructions, even duringprinting. For example, in the case that executing confirmation printingis instructed during printing of the 51st of 100 pages, the printingapparatus outputs the results of the 51st page confirmation printing toan output unit different from that of the first through 50th pages. Inthis case, the printing apparatus outputs the 51st page for confirmationprinting, while outputting printed material for and after the 51st pageagain as to the output unit of the first through 50th pages. That is tosay, the printing apparatus prints the confirmation printing 51st pageand the main printing 51st page.

As a result, the user can confirm color changes, print position changes,and so forth without stopping the printing even during printing of alarge number of copies.

However, in the case of executing such printing, the following problemsmay occur. For example, in a situation wherein, as a result ofinstructions for confirmation printing while the printing apparatus iscontinuously executing printing, the pages subjected to confirmationprinting use a set sheet such as tabbed sheets. In this case, since theset sheets to be used for the main printing are used for theconfirmation printing, desired printing results cannot be obtained.

This problem will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 23A and23B. Tab sheets 2403 of which five sheets make up one set are set in acassette 2402 of the printing apparatus as shown in FIG. 23A. Theprinting apparatus 2401 prints printing data 2404, and as a result ofconfirmation printing being instructed at a timing to printing page2405, the tab sheet to be printed for page 2405 is used for theconfirmation printing.

That is to say, the cassette 2407 after confirmation printing does nothave the tab sheet on which page 2405 is to be printed. In this state,if the printing apparatus 2401 prints page 2405 again for the mainprinting, since the page 2405 is printed using the tab sheet 2406, thenumeral “5” which is to be printed on the tab sheet is not printed, andthe user may not be able to obtain the desired printed material.

Automatically outputting the tab sheets remaining in the cassette 2407may be considered using the arrangement described in Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2002-003063, but after automatic outputting, the statereturns to that of cassette 2402. Therefore, in the case of using theleading tab sheet for confirmation printing and for main printing thereis no problem, but for example confirmation printing is executed as topages to be printed using the third sheet out of five tab sheets, andthereafter upon automatically outputting, the tab sheet to be used forthe next main printing becomes the first tab sheet. Accordingly, theproblems addressed by the present invention cannot be solved even byusing the technique in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-003063.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to outputting desiredprinted material while realizing confirmation printing.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus configured to print a printing job received from aninformation apparatus includes a first determining unit configured todetermine pages to be confirmed from pages included in a printing jobaccording to instructions to confirm printed material of a printed jobduring printing processing of the printing job, a second determiningunit configured to determine whether recording medium used to print thepages to be confirmed is specialized recording medium, and a printingcontrol unit configured to print the pages for confirmation using thespecialized recording medium if it is determined by the seconddetermining unit that the recording medium used for printing the page tobe confirmed is the specialized recording medium, wherein the printingcontrol unit prints the pages to be confirmed using the same type ofrecording medium as the recording medium used to print for confirmationafter printing of the pages for confirmation.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration example of aprinting environment 10000 including a printing system 1000 to becontrolled.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system1000 to be controlled.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system1000 to be controlled.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface unit to becontrolled.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface unit to becontrolled.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a control example of a printing system 1000to be controlled.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a control example of a printing system 1000to be controlled.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an inner configuration example of an inlinefinisher to be controlled.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an inner configuration example of an inlinefinisher to be controlled.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 12C is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 17A is a flowchart to describe control.

FIG. 17B is a flowchart to describe control.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart to describe control.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart to describe control.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit to be controlled.

FIG. 23A is a diagram illustrating the current state of the art.

FIG. 23B is a diagram illustrating the current state of the art.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart to describe control.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display control example of a userinterface unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the appended drawings.

First Embodiment

The present invention envisions a printing environment which differsfrom an office environment, such as a POD environment. Accordingly, thesystem environment of an overall workplace of a POD environmentincluding the printing system 100 (the printing environment 10000 shownin FIG. 1) will be described herein.

Note that with the present embodiment, a printing environment 10000 towhich the printing system 1000 can be applied is called a POD system10000. The POD system 10000 in FIG. 1 has the printing system 1000 ofthe present embodiment, server computer 103, and client computer 104(hereafter called PC). Also, the POD system 10000 in FIG. 1 has asheet-folding apparatus 107, trimming apparatus 109, saddle-stitchbinding apparatus 110, case work binding apparatus 108, scanner 102, andso forth. Thus, multiple apparatuses are prepared within the POD system10000.

The system 1000 has a printing apparatus 100 and sheet processingapparatus 200. Note that with the present invention, the printingapparatus 100 is exemplified and described as a multi-function apparatushaving multiple functions such as a copy function and a PC printingfunction and the like, but a printing apparatus of a single functiontype may be used. Note that a multi-function apparatus is also called anMFP (Multi Function Peripheral).

The sheet-folding apparatus 107, trimming apparatus 109, saddle-stitchbinding apparatus 110, and case work binding apparatus 108 in FIG. 1 aredefined as sheet processing apparatuses, similar to the sheet processingapparatus 200 of the printing system 1000. This is because these aredevices which can execute sheet processing as to sheets for a jobprinted with the printing apparatus 100 of the printing system 100. Forexample, the sheet-folding apparatus 107 executes folding processing forsheets of a job printed with the printing apparatus 100. The trimmingapparatus 109 executes trimming processing for sheets printed with theprinting apparatus 100 in increments of sheet bundles made up ofmultiple sheets.

The saddle-stitch binding apparatus 110 executes saddle-stitch bindingprocessing for sheets of a job printed with the printing apparatus 100.The case work binding apparatus 108 is configured to be able to executecase work binding for sheets of a job printed with the printingapparatus 100. However, in the case of executing various types of sheetprocessing with these sheet processing apparatuses (107 through 110), anoperator needs to perform work to remove the printed material from theoutput unit of the printing apparatus 100, and set such printed materialin a sheet processing apparatus for processing.

In other words, in the case of executing sheet processing as to printedmaterial printed with the printing apparatus 100 employing the sheetprocessing apparatus 200 of the printing system 1000 itself, insertingwork by the operator after printing processing is executed by theprinting apparatus 100 is unnecessary. This is because the printedmaterial printed with the printing apparatus 100 is sent directly to thesheet processing apparatus 200 and sheet processing is executed.Specifically, a sheet conveyance path within the printing apparatus 100is communicated to a sheet conveyance path within the sheet processingapparatus 200. Thus, the sheet processing apparatus 200 and printingapparatus 100 of the printing system 1000 itself are physicallyconnected. Also, the printing apparatus 100 and sheet processingapparatus 200 have a CPU, and are configured to be able to communicatedata. Thus, the printing apparatus 100 and sheet processing apparatus200 have an electrical connection relation.

Note that with the present embodiment, the control unit of the printingsystem performs overall control of the printing apparatus 100 and sheetprocessing apparatus 200. With the present example, a controller unit205 within the printing apparatus 100 in FIG. 2 performs overallcontrol. Note that with the present embodiment, the above-describedsheet processing apparatuses are also called “post-processingapparatuses” or “post presses”.

With the POD system 10000 in FIG. 1, the apparatuses other than thesaddle-stitch binding 110 are all connected to a network 101, and areconfigured so as to be able to communicate data mutually with otherapparatuses. For example, the information processing apparatuses such asthe PC 103 and 104, which are applicable to an example of externalapparatuses, can send printing data to the printing apparatus 100 via anetwork 101.

The server PC 103 manages the entire job for all jobs to be processedwith the present POD environment 10000. In other words, the server PC103 functions as a computer to perform overall management of the entireseries of workflow processes made up from multiple processing processes.

The PC 103 determines post-processing conditions which can be finishedwith the present environment 10000, based on instructions for a jobreceived from the operator. Also, the PC 103 instructs executing ofpost-processing (finishing processing) processing as requested by an enduser (in this example, a client who has requested print creation). Inthis event, the PC 103 employs information exchange tools such as JDF toexchange information with the sheet processing apparatus 200.

With the POD environment 10000 having such configuration elements, theabove-mentioned sheet processing apparatus 200 is defined in the presentembodiment as described below, divided into three types.

Definition 1: A sheet processing apparatus which is an apparatus meetingboth Condition 1 and Condition 2 below is defined as an “inlinefinisher”. Note that an apparatus applicable to this definition is alsocalled an inline-type sheet processing apparatus with the presentembodiment.

Condition 1: A sheet path (sheet conveyance path) physically connectsthe inline finisher with the printing apparatus 100 so that the sheetsconveyed from the printing apparatus 100 can be directly receivedwithout intervention from a user.

Condition 2: The inline finisher is electrically connected to otherapparatuses so that the data communication necessary for operationalinstructions and status confirmation can be made with the otherapparatuses. Specifically, the inline finisher needs to be electricallyconnected with the printing apparatus 100 to enable data communication,or to be electrically connected to an apparatus other than the printingapparatus 100 (e.g. PC 103, 104, or the like) via the network 101 toenable data communication. Condition 2 is considered to have been met byat least one of these conditions being met. That is, the sheetprocessing apparatus 200 of the printing system 1000 itself isapplicable to “inline finisher”.

Definition 2: A sheet processing apparatus which is applicable to anapparatus meeting Condition 2 but not meeting Condition 1 out of theabove Condition 1 and Condition 2 is defined as a “near-line finisher”.Note that an apparatus applicable to this definition is also called anear-line type sheet processing apparatus.

For example, a sheet processing apparatus which does not have a sheetpath connected to the printing apparatus 100 and requires a worker(operator) to perform insertion work such as conveying printed material,but which operation instructions and status confirmation is electricallytransmittable via a communication unit such as the network 101 or thelike, is defined as a “near-line finisher”.

That is, the sheet-folding apparatus 107, trimming apparatus 109,saddle-stitch binding apparatus 110, and case work binding apparatus 108in FIG. 1 are applicable to “near-line finisher”.

Definition 3: A sheet processing apparatus which is an apparatus notmeeting the conditions of either the above-mentioned Condition 1 andCondition 2 is defined as an “off-line finisher”. Note that an apparatusapplicable to this definition is also called an off-line type sheetprocessing apparatus.

For example, a sheet processing apparatus which does not have a sheetpath connected to the printing apparatus 100 and requires a worker(operator) to perform insertion work such as conveying printed material,and which does not have a communication unit necessary for operationinstructions and status confirmation whereby data communication withother apparatuses cannot be performed, thereby requiring manual work byan operator for conveying output materials, settings for outputmaterials, manual operation input, and status reports generated by theapparatus itself, is defined as an “off-line finisher”. That is, thesaddle-stitch binding apparatus 110 in FIG. 1 is an “off-line finisher”.

Thus, the present POD environment 10000 having various types of sheetprocessing apparatuses which are divided into three types can executevarious sheet processing.

A near-line finisher or off-line finisher managed by the server PC 103also includes various apparatuses such as a stapling dedicatedapparatus, hole-punch dedicated apparatus, a mail-inserting apparatus,or a collator. The server 103 can know the device status or job statususing sequential polling, etc., with a protocol determined beforehandand these near-line finishers, via the network 101. Also, the server PC103 manages the execution status (progress status) for each job to beprocessed with the present environment 10000.

Note that the present embodiment may have a configuration wherein theabove-described multiple recording sheet processing can be executed eachwith separate sheet processing apparatuses, or may have a configurationwherein one sheet processing apparatus can execute multiple types ofrecording sheet processing. Also, an arrangement may be made wherein thesystem has one sheet processing apparatus out of multiple sheetprocessing apparatuses.

The printing 1000 in FIG. 1 has a printing apparatus 100 and a sheetprocessing apparatus 200 which is detachable from printing apparatus100. The sheet processing apparatus 200 is an apparatus which canreceive sheets of a job printed with the printing apparatus 100 via asheet conveyance path. Also, the sheet processing apparatus 200 executesthe sheet processing requested by the user along with a printingexecution request via a user interface unit as to the sheet printed witha printer unit 203 of the printing apparatus 100.

Note that the sheet processing apparatus 200 of the present embodimentcan also be defined as a group of multiple sheet processing apparatuseswhich are mutually independently housed and independently usable. Theprinting system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 is made up of the printingapparatus 100 and three sheet processing apparatuses. Such aconfiguration whereby multiple sheet processing apparatuses areconnected to the printing apparatus 100 is called a cascade connection.The multiple sheet processing apparatuses which are connected to theprinting apparatus 100 with a cascade connection are handled as inlinefinishers. In this case, the controller 205 in FIG. 2, performs overallcontrol of the printing apparatus 100 and the multiple inline type sheetprocessing apparatuses, and executes various types of control asdescribed below.

Internal Configuration of System 1000

Next, the internal configuration of the printing system 1000 will bedescribed with reference to the system block diagram in FIG. 2. Theunits illustrated in FIG. 2, with the exception of the sheet processingapparatus 200, are included in the printing apparatus 100.

The printing apparatus 100 has a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk209 (HD) which can store data of multiple jobs to be processed withinthe printing apparatus 100 itself.

The printing apparatus 100 has a copy function to print job datareceived from the scanner unit 201 with the printer unit 203 via the HD209.

The printing apparatus 100 has a printing function to print job datareceived from external apparatuses, such as the PC 103 and 104, via theexternal interface unit 202 with the printer unit 203 via the HD 209.Note that the printing apparatus 100 may be configured as a colorprinter or monochrome printer, so long as the present invention can beexecuted.

The printing apparatus 100 has an operating unit 204, which for example,can be a user interface. Another example of a user interface is, forexample, the display units (not shown) and keyboards or mice (not shown)of the external apparatuses, i.e., PC 103 and 104.

The controller unit 205 performs overall control of the of the printingsystem 1000. Various types of control programs, which include programsto execute various types of processing in the flowcharts describedbelow, are stored in the ROM 207.

The control unit 205 executes various types of operations by reading andexecuting programs in ROM 207. The ROM 207 also stores programs toexecute the operations of interpreting the PDL (page descriptionlanguage) received from the external apparatus, e.g. PC 103 and 104 andexpanding the raster image data (bitmap image data).

The ROM 207 is read-only memory, and has various types of programsstored such as boot sequence and font information programs and theabove-mentioned programs. The RAM 208 is readable and writable memory,and stores image data sent from the scanner unit 201 or externalinterface 202 via the memory controller and various types of programsand setting information.

The HDD 209 is a large-capacity storage apparatus which stores imagedata compressed by a compression/decompression unit 210. The HDD 209 isarranged to hold multiple print data of jobs to be processed. Thecontrol unit 205 controls data of jobs to be processed which are inputvia various types of input units, such as the scanner unit 201 andexternal interface unit 202 to be printable with the printer unit 203via the HDD 209. The control unit also 205 sends data to the externalapparatuses via the external interface 202. Further, the control unit205 controls the output processing as to the data for jobs to beprocessed which are stored in the HDD 209. The compression/decompressionunit 210 performs compression/decompression operations of the image datastored in the RAM 208 and HDD 209 with various types of compressionmethods, such as JBIG and JPEG.

Apparatus Configuration of System 1000

Next, the configuration of the printing system 1000 will be describedwith reference to the apparatus configuration description diagram inFIG. 3. Note that as described above, with the printing system 1000,multiple inline type sheet processing apparatuses are configured incascade connection with the printing apparatus 100. Also, the inlinetype sheet processing apparatuses which can be connected to the printingapparatus 100 are arranged to be set with an arbitrary number of unitsaccording to the usage environment to increase the effects of thepresent embodiment under specified restrictions.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an “N” number of sheet processing apparatuses200 can be connected as a sheet processing apparatus series group. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, starting with the first sheet processingapparatus, the sheet processing apparatuses are shown as sheetprocessing apparatus 200 a, 200 b, . . . and the Nth sheet processingapparatus is shown as “sheet processing apparatus 200 n”.

First, the configuration of the printing apparatus 100 will bedescribed. Reference number 301 denotes the mechanical configuration ofthe scanner unit 201 in FIG. 2, and reference numbers 302 through 320denote the mechanical configuration of the printer unit 203 in FIG. 3.Note that with the present embodiment, the configuration of a 1D typecolor MFP will be described, but another type may be employed.

An automatic document feeding apparatus (ADF) 301 conveys an originaldocument set on a loading face of the document tray onto the platenglass in page sequence starting with the first page of the document. Thescanner 302 reads the image of the document conveyed onto the platenglass, and converts this to image data with a CCD. A rotation multi-facemirror (e.g., polygon mirror) 303 allows incident light of a beam, suchas laser light, which has been modulated according to the image data,and irradiates the photosensitive drum 304 as reflective scanning lightvia a reflective mirror. The latent image formed on the photosensitivedrum 304 by the laser light is developed with toner, and transfers thetoner image as to a sheet member adhered onto the transfer drum 305.

A full-color image is formed by sequentially executing this series ofimage forming processes as to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), andblack (K) toner. Following four image forming processes, the sheetmember on the transfer drum 305 whereupon a full-color image is formedis separated by a separating claw 306, and is conveyed to a fusing unit308 by a pre-fusing conveyer 307.

The fusing unit 308 is made up of a combination of rollers and belts,has a heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fuses thetoner on the sheet member to which the toner image is transferred withheat and pressure. An output flapper 309 is configured to be swingableon a swinging shaft as the center, and regulates the conveyancedirection of the sheet member. When the output flapper 309 swings in theclockwise direction, the sheet member is conveyed straight, and isoutputted outside of the apparatus by the output roller 310. In theevent of forming an image on both sides of the sheet member, the outputflapper 309 swings in the counter-clockwise direction, and the path ofthe sheet member is changed to the lower direction and is sent into aduplex conveyance unit. The duplex conveyance unit has a flapper 311,reverse roller 312, reverse guide 313, and duplex tray 314.

A reverse flapper 311 is configured to be swingable with a swingingshaft as the center, and regulates the conveyance direction of the sheetmember. In the case of processing a duplex printing job, the controlunit 205 swings the reverse flapper 311 in the counter-clockwisedirection and controls the sheet subjected to printing on the first sidewith the printer unit 203 to send the sheet into the reverse guide 313via the reverse roller 312. In the state of the sheet member trailingedge being gripped with the reverse roller 312, the reverse roller 312is temporarily stopped, and the reverse flapper 311 then swings in theclockwise direction. Also, the reverse roller 312 is rotated in theinverse direction. Thus, the sheet is conveyed in a switchback, and iscontrolled so that the sheet is led to the duplex tray 314 in a statewith the trailing edge and leading edge of the sheet having beenreversed.

At the duplex tray 314 the sheet members are temporarily stacked, andafter this, the sheet members are sent into a register roller 316 againby a resupply roller 315. At this time, the sheet members are sent withthe side opposite the transfer process of the first time as the sidefacing the photosensitive drum. Similar to the above-described process,the second image is formed on the second side of the sheet. Thus imagesare formed on both sides of the sheet member, and the sheet is outputtedto the outside of the printing apparatus main unit internal portionafter a fusing processing via the output roller 310. The control unit205 executes a duplex printing sequence, whereby duplex printing as tothe first side and second side of the sheet with data of the job to besubjected to duplex printing is executable with the printing apparatus.

The sheet supply conveyance unit includes sheet supply cassettes 317 and318 (e.g. each with 500-sheet capacity), a sheet deck 319 (e.g.5000-sheet capacity), and a manual feed tray 320 as a sheet supply unitto store the sheets necessary for printing processing. Also, the unit tosupply the sheets stored in these sheet supply units include a sheetsupply roller 321, register roller 316, and so forth. Sheets of varioussheet sizes and of various types of materials can be separated and setfor each of these sheet supply units of the sheet supply cassettes 317and 318, and sheet deck 319.

The manual feed tray 320 is also configured so that various types ofprinting media, including specialized sheets such as OHP sheet, can beset. A sheet supply roller 321 is provided to each of the sheet supplycassettes 317 and 318 and sheet deck 319 and manual feed tray 320, sothat sheets can be supplied continuously one sheet at a time. Forexample, the stacked sheet members are sequentially taken by the pick-uproller, multiple sheets being taken is prevented by the separatingroller provided facing the sheet supply roller 321 so that the sheetmembers are sent one sheet at a time to the conveyance guide. Thedriving force to rotate the separating roller in the opposite directionfrom the conveyance direction is input via a torque limiter (not shown).When only one sheet member is entering the nip formed between the sheetsupply rollers, the rollers rotate in the conveyance direction alongwith the sheet members.

In the case that multiple sheets are taken, the extra sheet member isreturned by rotating in the reverse direction from the conveyancedirection so that only the uppermost one sheet is sent. The sent sheetmember is guided between the conveyance guides, and is conveyed bymultiple conveyance rollers to the register roller 316. At this time theregister roller 316 is stopped, the leading edge of the sheet member isabutting against the nip of a register roller 316 pair, and the leadingedge of the sheet member forms a loop whereby skewing is corrected.After this, the register roller 316 begins rotating to convey the sheetmember, matching the timing of the toner image formed on thephotosensitive drum 304 in the image forming unit. The sheet member sentby the register roller 316 is adhered to the transfer drum 305 surfaceby static electricity with an adhering roller 322. The sheet memberoutputted from the fusing unit 308 is guided to the sheet conveyancepath within the sheet processing apparatus 200 via the output roller310.

A data source for a job for which a printing execution request isreceived from the operating unit 204 can be, for example, a scanner unit201. Another data source of a job for which a printing execution requestis received can be a host computer.

The control unit 205 stores printed data of a job to be processed in theHD 209 in sequence from the leading page, reads the printed data of thejob from the HD 209 in sequence from the leading page, and forms theimage of the printing data on the sheet. Such leading page processing isperformed in sequence.

The control unit 205 supplies the sheets to be printed sequentially fromthe leading page to the sheet conveyance path within the sheetprocessing apparatus 200 with the image face downwards. In order to doso, the switchback operation for reversing the front and back of thesheet from the fusing unit 308 is executed employing the units 309 and312 immediately prior to guiding the sheet to the sheet processingapparatus 200 unit with the output roller 310. Such sheet handlingcontrols for handling leading page processing is also executed by thecontrol unit 205.

Next, the configuration of the inline type sheet processing apparatus200 which belongs to the printing system 1000 along with the printingapparatus 100 will be described. The system 1000 of the presentembodiment in FIG. 3 has an n number of inline type sheet processingapparatuses which can be connected as a cascade to the printingapparatus 100. Note that the number of connectable inline type sheetprocessing apparatuses is optional. For example, even in the case ofusing no inline type sheet processing apparatuses (i.e. 0 apparatuses),the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can be used.

Also, in the case of cascade connection of multiple inline type sheetprocessing apparatuses to the printing apparatus 100, the connectionorder of the multiple sheet processing apparatuses is also optional.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration describedabove. For example, a system configuration may be used whereby thenumber of inline-type sheet processing apparatuses usable by theprinting system 1000 and the connection order of the apparatuses thereofare uniformly regulated. At the least, if at least one of the varioustypes of job controls to be described later is configured to beexecutable, such a system is included in the scope of the presentinvention.

An operating unit 204 exemplifying a user interface unit (hereinafter,UI unit) of the printing apparatus 100 of the system 1000 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4.

The operating unit 204 has a key input unit 402 which can receive useroperations with hard keys and a touch panel unit 401 which can receiveuser operations with software keys (also known as “soft keys” or“display keys”).

As shown in FIG. 5, the key input unit 402 has an operating unit powerswitch 501. The control unit 205 responds to user operation of theswitch 501, and performs control to selectively switch between a standbymode (normal operating state) and sleep mode (state of stopping aprogram in an interrupt-standby state in anticipation of networkprinting, etc., and suppressing power consumption). The control unit 205controls the user operation of the switch 501 so that a main powerswitch (not shown) performing power supply of the entire system is inthe ON state.

A start key 503 is a key for enabling the user to instruct the printingapparatus 100 to start the types of jobs instructed by the user, such ascopying operations or sending operations for the job to be processed. Astop key 502 is a key for enabling the user to instruct the printingapparatus to stop the processing of the received job. A numeric keypad506 is a keypad to enable setting of setting values for various types ofsettings. A clear key 507 is a key to clear various types of parameterssuch as the setting values set by the user via the keypad 506. A resetkey 504 is a key to invalidate all of the various types of setting setas to the job to be processed by the user, and to enable receivinginstructions to revert the setting values to default state. A user modekey 505 is a key to move the user to a system setting screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the touch panel unit 401. The touchpanel unit 401 has a touch panel display made up of a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD) and a transparent electrode pasted thereupon. The touchpanel unit 401 receives various types of settings from the operator anddisplays information to the operator. For example, upon detecting thatthe user has pressed a location on the LCD, the control unit 205 followsa display control program stored in the ROM 207 to control what is to bedisplayed on the LCD of the touch panel unit 401. FIG. 6 is an exampleof an initial screen displayed on the touch panel unit 401 when theprinting apparatus 100 state is in standby mode, i.e., a state with nojob to be processed by the printing apparatus 100.

When a copy tab 601 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205displays an operating screen for the copy function of the printingapparatus 100 on the touch panel unit 401. When the transmission tab 602is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 displays an operatingscreen with a data sending (Send) function, such as fax or E-mail, ontouch panel unit 401 of the printing apparatus 100. When a box tab 603is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 displays an operatingscreen for the box function of the printing apparatus 100 on the touchpanel unit 401.

A box function is a function using virtual multiple data storage boxes(hereinafter called box) in the HDD 209. With this function, the controlunit 205 enables the desired box of a user to be selected by the uservia the user interface unit, and to enable receiving the desiredoperation from the user. For example, the control unit 205 responds toinstructions from the user, which are input via the operating unit 204,and enables the document data of the job received from the scanner 201of the printing apparatus 100 to be stored in the HDD 209 to the boxselected by the user. Data of a job from an external apparatus (e.g.host computer 103 and 104) received via the external interface unit 202can also be stored in the box selected by the user. The control unit 205outputs data of a job stored in the box selected by the user accordingto the user instructions from the operating unit 204.

When an options tab 604 is pressed, the control unit 205 displays ascreen to set optional functions, such as scanner settings, on the touchpanel unit 401. When the user presses a system status/cancel key 617, adisplay screen to notify the user of the state or status of the MFP isdisplayed on the touch panel unit 401.

An autocolor selected key 605 enables the user to select color copying,monochrome copying, or automatic selection beforehand. A size ratiosetting key 608 is a key for displaying a setting screen on the touchpanel unit 401 to enable the user to execute size ratio settings such assame-size, enlarge, and reduce.

In the case that the user presses a duplex key 614, the control unit 205displays on the touch panel unit 401 either simplex printing or duplexprinting that is to be executed with the printing processing of the jobto be processed. In response to the user pressing a select sheet key615, the control unit 205 displays a screen on the touch panel unit 401to enable the user to set the sheet supply unit, sheet size, and sheettype (media type).

In response to the user pressing the character key 612, the control unit205 displays a screen on the touch panel unit 401 enabling the user toselect the image processing mode applicable to the document image, suchas text mode or photography mode. Also, by the user operating a densitysetting key 611, the density of the output image of the job to beprinted can be adjusted.

The control unit 205 displays an operation state of an event currentlyoccurring with the printing apparatus 100, such as standby status,warming up, printing, jam, error, etc., in a status display area 606 ofthe touch panel unit 401. The control unit 205 displays information forthe user to confirm printing size ratio of a job to be processed and thesheet size and supply mode of the job to be processed.

Information for the user to confirm the number of copies to be printedfor the job to be processed, and which page is currently being printed,is displayed in the display area 610. Thus, the control unit 205displays various types of information to communicate to the user on thetouch panel unit 401.

Further, in the case that an interrupt key 613 is pressed by the user,the control unit 205 stops the printing of the job being printed withthe printing apparatus 100. In the case that an application mode key 618is pressed, a screen is displayed to perform settings for imageprocessing layouts such as continuous photo pages, cover/facing sheetsettings, reduction layout, image moving, etc.

The control unit 205 displays a screen to receive an executing requestfrom a user for sheet processing as to the inline type sheet processingapparatus. For example, if the user presses a sheet processing settingkey 609 (also called “finishing key”), selection options for sheetprocessing executable with the inline type sheet processing apparatus ofthe system 1000 are displayed as illustrated in display 700 in FIG. 7.

The control unit 205 performs control to enable the execution requestfor sheet processing to be executed on the sheets printed in the job tobe processed by the inline sheet processing apparatus.

The control unit 205 determines which of the sheet processing apparatusoptions selectable with display 700 is the sheet processing apparatusthat the system 1000 has. For example, in display 700, one of themultiple types of sheet processing given below as to the sheets printedwith the printer unit 203 is permitted to receive an executing requestfrom the user for a sheet processing type.

-   (1) stapling processing-   (2) hole-punching processing-   (3) folding processing-   (4) shift output processing-   (5) trimming processing-   (6) saddle-stitch binding processing-   (7) case work binding processing applicable to one example of    adhesive binding processing-   (8) glue binding processing applicable to another example of    adhesive binding processing-   (9) large-capacity stacking processing    With the user interface control example in FIG. 7, the control unit    205 controls the operating unit 204 so that these nine types of    sheet processing are selection options.

The control unit 205 controls the user interface unit so that the sheetprocessing applicable to a type not executable with the system 1000 isnot a selectable option. For example, a sheet processing apparatus whichis unusable because, for example, it is broken, is displayed, but in amanner such that it is not selectable by the user.

While executing such control, the control unit 205 obtains configurationinformation for the sheet processing apparatuses of the printing system1000. In addition, status information specifying whether an error isoccurring in the sheet processing apparatus 200 is obtained.

Note that the system 1000 is also configured to enable receiving aprinting executing request of a job to be processed from an externalapparatus, such as the PC 103 and 104, and executing a request for sheetprocessing necessary for such job. When a job is received from anexternal apparatus, content similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 isdisplayed on the display unit (e.g. setting screen of a printer driver)of the external apparatus which is the sending source for printing databy the external apparatuses control unit.

FIG. 8A is an example wherein the system 1000 has three inline typesheet processing apparatuses in the sequence of large-capacity stacker200 a, adhesive binding apparatus 200 b, and saddle-stitch bindingapparatus 200 c.

With the present example, the large-capacity stacker 200 a is a sheetprocessing apparatus which can stack a large number of sheets (e.g. 5000sheets) of the sheets from the printer unit 203.

The adhesive binding apparatus 200 b is a sheet processing apparatuswhich can execute case work binding processing requiring adhesiveprocessing of the sheets in the event of adding a cover sheet to onebundle worth of sheets printed with the printing unit 203. The adhesivebinding apparatus is also called case work binding apparatus since thisis a sheet processing apparatus which can execute at least case workbinding processing.

The saddle-stitch binding apparatus 200 c is a sheet processingapparatus which can selectively execute stapling processing,hole-punching processing, trimming processing, shift output,saddle-stitch binding processing, and folding processing as to thesheets from the printer unit 203.

With the present embodiment, the control unit 205 registers varioustypes of system configuration information relating to the sheetprocessing apparatuses as management information required for thevarious types of control in a specified memory. For example, in the casethat the system 1000 is a system configuration such as that shown inFIG. 8A, the control unit 205 registers the following information in theHDD 209:

-   Information 1: Apparatus configuration information for confirming    with the control unit 205 that the system 1000 has an inline type    sheet processing apparatus.-   Information 2: Number-of-units information for confirming with the    control unit 205 that the system 1000 has three inline type sheet    processing apparatuses 200.-   Information 3: Inline sheet processing apparatus type information    for confirming with the control unit 205 that the system 1000 has a    large-capacity stacker 200 a, adhesive binding apparatus 200 b, and    saddle-stitch binding apparatus 200 c.-   Information 4: Information for the control unit 205 to be able to    specify the sheet processing which is executable with the system.-   Information 5: Information for confirming with the control unit 205    that the above-described three sheet processing apparatuses are    connected to the printing apparatus 100 as a cascade connection in    the order of large-capacity stacker 200 a, adhesive binding    apparatus 200 b, and saddle-stitch binding apparatus 200 c.

The various types of information in Information 1 through Information 5are registered in the HD 209. Also, the control unit 205 uses thisinformation as decision material information required for job control asdescribed below.

An example will be given below with the above-described configuration asa premise of what control the control unit 205 will execute.

For example, in the case that the system 1000 is the systemconfiguration in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the control unit 205 recognizes thatthe above-mentioned nine types of sheet processing are all executablewith the system based on the decision material of Information 1 throughInformation 5. Also, based on the recognition results, the control unit205 controls a user interface unit so that the total nine types of sheetprocessing shown in display 700 are all selection options.

For example, in the case that the user selects the staple key 701 inFIG. 7, the stapling processing is executed with the saddle-stitchbinding apparatus applicable to the sheet processing apparatus 200 c inFIG. 8A.

Thus, the control unit 205 enables an execution request for sheetprocessing desired by a user to be received from selection optionscorresponding to sheet processing executable with a sheet processingapparatus of the system 1000.

The control unit 205 also responds to a printing execution request of ajob to be processing via the user interface unit provided with thepresent embodiment, and causes the printing processing needed for thejob with the printer unit 203.

Further, the control unit 205 executes control as described below withthe system 1000.

For example, system 1000 is connected in the order of printing apparatus100→large-capacity stacker 200 a→adhesive binding 200 b→saddle-stitchbinding 200 c as shown in FIG. 8A. The state within the systemconfiguration inner unit in this case is a configuration such as shownin FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8B is an overall apparatus cross-sectional view of the printingsystem 1000 in the case that the printing system 1000 configuration isthe system configuration in FIG. 8A. Also, the apparatus configurationin FIG. 8B corresponds to the apparatus configuration in FIG. 8A.

As illustrated by the apparatus inner configuration of FIG. 8B, thesheets printed with the printer unit 203 of the printing apparatus 100are configured to be capable of being supplied into the various sheetprocessing apparatuses. Specifically, the various sheet processingapparatuses have a sheet conveyance path which can convey sheets viapoint A, point B, and point C within the apparatus.

The various inline type sheet processing apparatuses which have afunction to receive sheets from the apparatus is the previous stageconnected before the apparatus itself and sends the sheets to theapparatus of the later stage connected behind the apparatus itself, evenif the sheet processing executable with the apparatus itself is notnecessary for the job to be processed.

With the system configuration as described above, for example, when theprinting system 1000 is the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8A and8B, the control unit 205 executes the control exemplified below as tothe job wherein a printing executing request is received from the user.

For example, a job to be processed which has received a printingexecuting request from the user with the system configuration in FIGS.8A and 8B is a job requiring sheet processing with the large-capacitystacker 200 a after printing processing (ex stacking processing). Here,such a job is called a “stacker job”.

In the case of processing the stacker job with the system configurationin FIGS. 8A and 8B, the control unit 205 causes the sheet of the jobsubjected to printing with the printing apparatus 100 to pass throughpoint A in FIG. 8B, and executes sheet processing with thelarge-capacity stacker 200 a.

Further, the control unit 205 holds the printing results of the stackerjob subjected to sheet processing (ex stacking processing) with thelarge-capacity stacker 200 a in a output destination X within thelarge-capacity stacker 200 a shown in FIG. 8B without being conveyed toother apparatuses (e.g. a apparatus at a later stage).

The printed material of the stacker job held in the output destination Xof the FIG. 8B is configured to be removable from the location of theoutput destination X by the operator. A series of controls executed bythe control unit 205 in the case that the printing system 1000 is thesystem configuration in FIGS. 8A and 8B is applicable to the controlexample of FIG. 8B (case 1).

On the other hand, the job to be processed which received a printingexecution request from the user with the system configuration in FIGS.8A and 8B can be a job requiring sheet processing with the adhesivebinding apparatus 200 b (e.g. case work binding processing) afterprinting processing. Here such a job is called “adhesive binding job”.

The adhesive binding job is printed with the printing apparatus 100,passes through point A and point B in FIG. 8B, is subjected to sheetprocessing with the adhesive binding apparatus 200 b, and is held in anoutput destination Y within the adhesive binding apparatus 200 b shownin FIG. 8B.

A series of controls executed by the control unit 205 in the case thatthe printing system 1000 is the system configuration in FIGS. 8A and 8Bis applicable to the control example of FIG. 8B (case 2).

In another example, a job to be processed which received a printingexecution request from the user with the system configuration in FIGS.8A and 8B is a job requiring sheet processing with the saddle-stitchbinding apparatus 200 c (e.g. saddle-stitch binding processing) afterprinting processing. Here such a job is called “saddle-stitch bindingjob”.

The saddle-stitch binding job is printed with the printing apparatus100, passes through points A through C in FIG. 8B, and is subjected tosheet processing with the saddle-stitch binding apparatus 200 c.

In the case that the printing system 1000 is the system configuration inFIGS. 8A and 8B, a series of controls executed with the control unit 205is applicable to a control example in FIG. 8B (case 3).

Note that the system configuration information is information as towhether there is an inline finisher, and in the case there is an inlinefinisher, the information as to the number of such apparatuses and thecapability information of such apparatuses. Also, in the case that thereare multiple inline finishers, the connection sequence information isalso applicable to system configuration information.

Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the control unit of theprinting system 1000 executes various types of control corresponding toeach system configuration status (number of connected inline sheetprocessing apparatuses or connection sequence thereof) of the system1000 with the system 1000.

As one example of the need for flexibly changing the connection sequenceand number of inline sheet processing apparatuses, consider a systemtaking into consideration the existence of a POD business purchasing thesystem 1000, where the POD business wants to perform large-capacitystacking processing while case work binding processing may not benecessary.

Next, a specific example of an internal configuration of the varioustypes of inline type sheet processing apparatuses which can be in thesystem 1000 as exemplified in FIGS. 8A and 8B will be describedindividually for each sheet processing apparatus.

Internal Configuration of Large-Capacity Stacker

FIG. 9 shows an example an inner configuration cross-sectional diagramof the large-capacity stacker 200 a. The inner portion of thelarge-capacity stacker has three conveyance paths. As an examplethereof, the large-capacity stacker 200 a has a straight path 908,escape path 902, and stack path 903, as shown in FIG. 9.

Note that the straight path 908 of the large-capacity stacker 200 a andlater-described various apparatuses of the adhesive binding apparatus200 b in FIG. 10 has the function to send the sheets received from theapparatus of the previous stage to a apparatus of a later stage, wherebyin the present example this is also called a through path in an inlinesheet processing apparatus.

The straight path 908 within the large-capacity stacker 200 a is a sheetconveyance path for sending the sheets of a job not requiring sheetstacking processing to an apparatus of a later stage. Also, the escapepath 902 within the large-capacity stacker 200 a is used in the case ofoutputting without stacking. For example, in the case of performingconfirmation work of the output (proof printing), in order to simplifyremoval from the stacking tray 906, the printed material is conveyed tothe escape path 902, and the printed material is removed from the escapepath 902. Also, the stack path 903 within the large-capacity stacker 200a is a sheet conveyance path for executing stacking processing as tosheets of a job requiring stacking processing of the sheets with astacking unit of the apparatus.

For example, system 1000 has the large-capacity stacker 200 a shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. With this system configuration state, the control unit205 receives an execution request for sheet stacking processing via, forexample, key operations of key 709 in FIG. 7, for example. In this case,the control unit 205 performs control so that the sheets are conveyed tothe stack path 903 in the large-capacity stacker 200 a. The sheetsconveyed to the stack path 903 are outputted to the stacking tray 906.

The stacking tray 906 in FIG. 9 is a stacking unit which is loaded on anexpandable stay 904. A shock absorber is attached to the joined portionswith the stacking tray 906. The control unit 205 performs control to usethe stacking tray 906 and execute stacking processing of printed sheetsof a job to be processed with the large-capacity stacker 200 a. Belowthe expandable stay 904 is a cart 905, wherein the stack output loadedon the cart 905 can be carried to another off-line finisher using ahandle (not shown) attached to the cart 905.

When the front door of the stacker unit is closed, the expandable stay904 rises to an upper portion wherein stacking output is easily stacked,and when the front door is opened, the stacking tray 906 is arranged tobe lowered.

As to the stacking method of the stacking output, flat stacking orshifted stacking may be performed, whereby flat stacking stacksconstantly in the same position. Shifted stacking shifts in incrementsof each predetermined numbers of copy or in increments of jobs, frontand back, and is a method to create divisions in the output to simplifyhandling of the output.

Thus, the large-capacity stacker 200 a, which is permitted to be used asan inline type sheet processing apparatus with the system 1000, isconfigured to enable executing of multiple types of stacking methodswhen executing stacking processing of the sheets from the printer unit203. The control unit 205 controls various types of operations as to theapparatuses.

Internal Configuration of Adhesive Binding Apparatus

FIG. 10 shows an example an inner configuration cross-sectional diagramof the adhesive binding apparatus 200 b.

The adhesive binding apparatus 200 b has a straight path 1014, bookblock path 1013, and cover path 1004. The straight path 1014 (throughpath) within the adhesive binding apparatus 200 b is a sheet conveyancepath having a function to send the sheets of a job not requiringadhesive binding processing with an adhesive binding unit to adownstream apparatus.

A CPU (not shown) of the adhesive binding apparatus 200 b notifies thecontrol unit 205 of the sheet detecting information from each sensor forperforming data communication with the control unit 205. The sheetdetecting information includes conveying status or jams of the sheetswithin the adhesive binding apparatus 200 b. In the case that othersheet processing apparatuses are connected between the sheet processingapparatus and printing apparatus 100 in a cascade connection as theconfiguration of the printing system, the sensor information of theadhesive binding apparatus 200 b is communicated to the control unit205. Thus, a configuration unique to the inline finisher is created.

The book block path 1013 and cover path 1004 within the adhesive bindingapparatus 200 b are sheet conveyance paths to create case work bindingprinted material 1008.

For example, the printer unit 203 executes printing processing of theprinting data to be the main writing as case work binding printingprocessing. The binding apparatus executes processing to wrap the mainwriting portion (“book block”) in the output material worth one bundleof printed sheets with one cover sheet. In this event, the sheet toserve as the cover is conveyed via the cover path 1004, and the sheetsto serve as the book block are conveyed via the book block path 1013.

Processing will be described wherein the control unit 205 receives acase work binding processing execution request from the user. Forexample, the binding apparatus accumulates sheets printed with theprinter unit 203 in the stacking unit 1012 sequentially via the bookblock path 1013, and conveys a cover sheet needed for this job via thecover path 1004.

Thus, with an inline type sheet processing apparatus to be controlledwith the control unit 205, adhesive binding processing called case workbinding processing is executed.

The sheet for the cover of the case work binding may be conveyed fromthe inserter tray 1001 of the inserter 1002 of the adhesive bindingapparatus 200 b. In this case, the cover sheet is a pre-printed sheetwhereupon cover data is already printed. Also, the sheets subjected toimage printing with the printing apparatus 100 itself are cover sheets.These cover sheets are conveyed to the cover path 1004, and aretemporarily held at the lower portion of the stacking unit 1012.

In parallel to this operation, adhesive processing is executed as to thebook block made up of multiple sheets already subjected to printing ofthe main writing, which are stacked on the stacking unit 1012. Thebinding apparatus sends out the book block being pressed downward, sothe book block wrapped in a cover is disposed on a rotational table 1007following a guide 1005.

Thereafter, the fore-edge is trimmed with a cutter 1010. Next, therotational table 1007 is rotated 90 degrees, alignment is performed witha side justifying unit 1006, and the top is trimmed. Further, therotational table 1007 is rotated 180 degrees, alignment is performedwith the side justifying unit 1006, and the bottom is trimmed.

After trimming, alignment is made further, the completed book blockwrapped in a cover is placed in a basket 1009, and after the adhesive issufficiently dried, the finished case work binding bundle can beremoved.

Thus, the adhesive binding apparatus 200 b has an adhesive unit 1011 toexecute adhesive binding processing as to the sheets of a job to beprocessed, having an execution request from a user for adhesive bindingprocessing along with printing execution request.

Also, the printing system 1000 is configured to enable receiving aprinting executing request and sheet processing executing request of ajob to be processed from the information processing apparatus applicableto an example of the external apparatus. Hereafter, an example will bedescribed in the case of using the printing system 1000 from the hostcomputer (PC 103 and 104).

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrates a printing setting screen displayed on thedisplay unit of the host computer according to the present embodiment.

For example, when the finishing key 1701 on the operating screen inFIGS. 11A and 11B is selected by the user, the printing setting screendisplays the screen illustrated in FIG. 11B.

Sheet processing setting item 1702 in FIG. 11B is used by the user tocontrol the type of processing executed with the inline type sheetprocessing apparatus 200 of the system 1000.

The desired sheet processing is selected by the user via the settingitem 1702, and the OK key is pressed on the screen in FIG. 11A. As aresult, the host computer associates a command showing the various typesof printing conditions set by the user and a series of printing data tobe printed as one job, and sends this via the network.

Upon the job from the computer being received by the external interfaceunit 202 of the system 1000, the control unit 205 controls the job toperform processing based on processing requirements set by the user.

Next, an example of confirmation printing will be described incomparison to test copying.

Test copying prints one copy only (or specified pages of one copy) inthe event of performing copying of multiple copies, and realizesconfirmation of the printing results. In the case that the copy tab 601is selected with the touch panel unit 401, the control unit 205 displaysthe screen in FIG. 12A. Further, upon the number of print copies (one ormore) is input with the key input unit 402 and the sorter is set, thecontrol unit 205 displays a test copy button 1201.

Upon the test copy button 1201 being pressed by the operator, thecontrol unit 205 displays the screen in FIG. 12B. With this screen,whether to print all pages for the test copy or to print only specifiedpages, and in the case of specified pages, the start page and end page,can be specified. Upon the range of test print being set with thepresent screen and the OK button pushed, the control unit 205 controlsthe printer unit 203 to execute test printing according to the printingconditions received via the FIG. 12B.

Next, upon the test printing completing, the control unit 205 displaysthe screen in FIG. 12C, and stands by for operations by the operator. Inthe case of test printing completing, the printer unit 203 goes to aprinting operation stopped state. At this time, the operator can performthe actions listed below:

-   (1) As a result of test printing, in case of no problems, execute    main printing.-   (2) As a result of test printing, change printing settings and    perform test printing again (or execute main printing).-   (3) As a result of test printing, stop main printing (cancel).

In the case of stopping (canceling) the printing by the operator, themain printing is not executed. Also, in the case that settings arechanged after test printing by the operator, the main printing isexecuted using the printing conditions after the setting changes and thenumber of print copies received before test printing executing. Also, inthe case that settings are not changed by the operator, main printing isexecuted. However, the number of print copies is a number of printcopies less one copy from the total number of print copies receivedbefore test printing.

Next, confirmation printing operations will be described. Confirmationprinting is an operation to print one copy or only specified pagesduring the execution of multiple copies of printing in order to performconfirmation of printing results. The sequence of confirmation printingwill be described. In the case that printing is executed with theprinter unit 203, the control unit 205 displays the screen shown in FIG.13A on the touch panel unit 401.

Upon a confirmation print button 1401 in FIG. 13A being pressed by theoperator, the control unit 205 displays the screen in FIG. 13B. Theoperator uses the screen in FIG. 13B to select whether to print allpages (one copy) as the confirmation print or print only one sheet(automatically determines which page to print). At this time, theprinter unit 203 is executing the main printing, and a message isdisplayed on the lower portion of the screen in FIG. 13B to indicatethat the current status is printing. That is to say, the test printingis executed with separate timing between the test printing and mainprinting, but the confirmation printing differs in that confirmationprinting is executed according to the user instructions during mainprinting.

The operator uses the screen in FIG. 13B to select the confirmationprint area 1302 and presses the start printing button 1301, whereby thecontrol unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute confirmationprinting.

Upon the confirmation printing completing, the control unit 205automatically restarts the printing operation of the main printing, andthe screen in FIG. 13A is displayed again. The operator confirms theprinting material for confirmation which is printed with theconfirmation printing. In the case there is a problem with the printedmaterial, the operator can, for example, instruct the followingprocessing:

-   (1) Stop (cancel) the automatically restarted main printing.-   (2) Temporarily stop the main printing, change printing settings    (media, density, and so forth) of the job, and restart the main    printing.-   (3) Temporarily stop the main printing, perform adjustments unique    to each apparatus, and restart the main printing.

In the case of stopping the main printing, upon the operating pressingthe close button 1402 on the screen in FIG. 13A, the control unit 205displays the screen in FIG. 6 again. Upon the operator pressing thesystem status/stop button 617 button on the screen in FIG. 6, thecontrol unit 205 displays the screen in FIG. 14. The operator selectsthe job currently being executed with the screen in FIG. 14, and pressesthe stop button, whereby the control unit 205 stops the printing of thejob.

In the case of changing printing settings, the operator selects a jobcurrently being executed with the screen in FIG. 14, and presses a pauseprinting button 1403, whereby the control unit 205 temporarily stops theprinting of the job. After stopping, the operator presses the closebutton 1404 to close FIG. 14, whereby the control unit 205 closes thescreen in FIG. 14, and the screen in FIG. 6 is redisplayed. The operatorchanges the sheets with a sheet selection button 615 of the screen inFIG. 6. Also, the density can be adjusted with a density adjustingbutton 611.

In the case of performing adjustments unique to each apparatus, theoperator selects a job currently being executed with the screen in FIG.14, and presses the pause printing button 1403, whereby the control unit205 temporarily stops printing of the job. After stopping, the operatorpresses the close button 1404 to close FIG. 14, whereby the control unit205 closes the screen in FIG. 14, and the screen in FIG. 6 isredisplayed. The operator presses a user mode key 505 on the screen inFIG. 6, whereby various types of settings can be changed.

Thus, the printing apparatus 100 of the printing system 1000 has both atest copy function as well as a confirmation print function.

With the confirmation print function, confirmation printing processingcan be realized during continuous printing operations with the printingsystem 1000, assuming the printing environment such as a POD.Accordingly, confirmation printing can be executed without decreasingprinting performance of main printing.

In the case of executing confirmation printing, the printing apparatus100 of the printing system 1000 outputs printed material to a separateoutput unit from the main printing so as not to be mixed in with theprinted material of the main printing. Further, even the case of using aset of sheets with a sequence for the printing data to be processed, theprinting system 1000 performs control so that the sequence of the set ofsheets is not disordered by the confirmation printing.

The sequence of confirmation printing (confirmation printing during copyoperations) will be described in detail using the flowchart in FIGS. 17Aand 17B. The tab sheets will be described in detail here as an example,but this is not necessarily limited to tab sheets. For example,pre-printed sheets which make up one set by multiple sheets whereuponsome information is printed beforehand may be applicable as well.

In step S101, the control unit 205 displays a basic screen (FIG. 12A),and receives the settings of various printing conditions by the operatorwith key operations (S102). In step S103, the control unit 205determines whether a printing start request has been made. Upon theoperator pressing the start key 503, the control unit 205 detects aprinting start request (start key input), and the flow proceeds to stepS104.

In step S104, the control unit 205 displays a pop-up of a printingstatus screen shown in FIG. 13A. Next, in step S105, in the case that aconfirmation printing request is received, a print job is stored for aconfirmation printing start request in order to restart the mainprinting after the confirmation printing is ended. Note that the controlunit 205 analyzes the print job saves in step S105, whereby the sheetsto be used for printing each page for example which is included in theprinting data can be specified.

In step S106, the control unit 205 controls the printer unit 203 toexecute the printing for the job having received the printing startrequest. In step S107, the control unit 205 determines whether the mainprinting of the job is completed.

In the case that the main printing is completed, the control unit 205closes the printing status pop-up screen in step S108. The printingstatus pop-up screen can also be manually closed (pressing the closebutton 1402) by the operator before the main printing is completed. Notethat in the present embodiment, the printing started with the printingstart request and the printing after the confirmation printing is calledthe main printing.

If the main printing is not completed in step S107, then in step S109,the control unit 205 determines whether the confirmation print button1401 has been pressed on the printing status pop-up screen. In the casethere is no confirmation print request, the process returns to step S107in FIG. 17A.

In the case that the confirmation print button 1401 is pressed, then instep S110, the control unit 205 displays a confirmation print selectionscreen illustrated in FIG. 13B. As a range for confirmation printing,all pages or one page of the job is selectable, but is not limited tothis arrangement.

Next, in step S111, the control unit 205 determines whether theconfirmation print button 1401 is pressed. If the confirmation printbutton 1401 is pressed, then flow proceeds to step S112, where thecontrol unit 205 determines whether the pages to be printed using tabsheets exist in the confirmation print range. That is, the control unit205 functions as a first determining unit to determine whether the sheetto be used for the confirmation page is a specialized sheet (e.g. tabsheet). For example, in the case that the user selects all pages as thetype of confirmation printing, the control unit 205 determines whetherthere are any pages using a tab sheet for the printing job to beprocessed, whereby the processing in step S112 is realized.

On the other hand, in the case that one sheet (automatic) is selected asthe type of confirmation printing, the control unit 205 determineswhether the page to be subjected to confirmation printing specified witha timing receiving confirmation printing instructions uses a tab sheet.For example, in the case that instruction for confirmation printing isreceived during the printing of page 5 in a job with pages 1 through 10,the fifth page is determined to be the page for confirmation printing.Also, in the case that attributes indicating the use of tabs on theheader of a print job are included, for example, the control unit 205may use the attributes to execute determining processing of step S112.

If it is determined in step S112 that there are no pages using a tabsheet, the flow advances to step S113. If it is determined in step S112that there is a page using a tab sheet, the flow proceeds to theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 describes control of theconfirmation printing including tab sheets.

In step S200, the control unit 205 displays a screen (FIG. 16) whichenables selection of whether to use a tab sheet for confirmationprinting. A user can use the screen illustrated in FIG. 16 is used toselect confirmation printing which does not use tab sheets as to thepages normally using tab sheets, and to execute confirmation printing ofthe printing position shifting or color changes which can occur duringlarge-capacity page printings without confusing tab sheets which aremore expensive than normal paper. That is to say, the processing contentof the confirmation printing can be input.

Next, in step S201, the control unit 205 determines whether to use a tabsheet for confirmation printing according to the instructions input withthe tab sheet usage selection screen in FIG. 16.

If using a tab sheet is selected in S201 (S201—No), the process returnsto step S113 in FIG. 17B. If not using a tab sheet is selected(S201—Yes), flow proceeds to step S202, where the control unit 205determines whether one page has been selected as the range whenselecting the range for confirmation printing in FIG. 13B.

If, in step S202, one page is determined to be selected (S202—Yes), flowproceeds to step S203, where the control unit 205 determines whetherthere are pages which use sheets other than tab sheets with the mainprinting job after the page for confirmation printing has beendetermined with the confirmation printing starting instructions. Thatis, the control unit 205 functions as a second determining unit todetermine whether the pages following the page using a tab sheet servingas the page currently subjected to confirmation printing include anypages not using a tab sheet which is an example of a specialized sheet.Note that the determining processing in step S203 can be realized byanalyzing the printing data saved in step S105 of FIG. 17A.

If, in step S203, it is determined that there are pages using sheetsother than tab sheets (S203—No), flow proceeds to step S207, where thecontrol unit 205 changes the pages using sheets detected to be usingother than tab sheets to confirmation printing pages. Consequently, evenif the pages for confirmation printing are pages which use tab sheets,the pages which do not use tab sheets thereafter are changed to pagesfor confirmation, whereby printed material content can be confirmedduring the printing processing without unnecessarily consuming tabsheets.

If it is determined in step S203 that no subsequent pages using sheetsother than tab sheets, or if it is determined in step S202 that there ismore than one page selected, then in step S204, the control unit 205changes the printing settings to print using sheets (e.g. normal paper)which differs from tab sheets for the pages using tab sheets within theconfirmation print range.

Next, in step S205, the control unit 205 determines whether the pagesusing a tab sheet within the confirmation print range has the settingsfor applying shifting processing. Here, settings for applying shiftingprocessing are settings to realize printing as to the tab ear of the tabsheet by shifting the image data created in the same image size as astandard size such as A4 towards the tab ear side of the tab sheet byonly a specified shifting amount.

On the other hand, settings for non-shifting processing are settings torealize printing as to the tab ear of the tab sheet by creating an imagesize larger than the standard size by the ear amount, and printing onthe tab sheet without shifting the image data. Note that determiningprocessing in step S205 can be realized by analyzing the printing datasaved in step S105.

In step S205, if it is determined that the shifting type tab sheetsettings are made (S205—No), then in step S208, the control unit 205changes the shifting amount to zero. Consequently, data can be printedon a standard sheet such as A4 or LTR which is to be printed on the tabportion. If it is determined in step S205 that non-shift type tab sheetsettings are made (S205—Yes), then in step S206, the control unit 205changes to a sheet size wherein printing can be performed for an imagelarger by the amount of the tab ear. For example, in the case thatnon-shifting type tab sheet settings wherein an image size larger by thetab ear on A4 is set, the control unit 205 changes the amount of the tabear portion to a printable A3.

Thus, the present embodiment addresses a case wherein settings for sheetsize are changed to encompass the image size larger by the amount of thetab ear. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this case.For example, sheet storing information which is set in the sheet storingunit of the printing apparatus 100 is obtained, and the sheet closest tothe tab sheet from the sheet sizes already set can be automaticallyselected.

An arrangement may also be made wherein, if there is no sheet size whichcan encompass the image size which is larger by the amount of the tabear in the sheet storing information, the image size is reduced, or aportion of the image data is deleted, to match the size existing in thesheet storing information, and changed to settings for the sheet sizesexisting in the sheet storing information.

Turning back to FIG. 17B, in step S113, the control unit 205 determinesthe output destination of the confirmation printing with considerationfor the output destination of the main printing so that the outputdestinations are not the same. Next, in step S114, the control unit 205stops the main printing (executing with the printer unit 203) of the jobrequesting confirmation printing, and in step S115, determines with theconfirmation print type selection screen whether the confirmation printrange is all pages. If, in step S115, it is determined that theconfirmation print range is all pages (S115—Yes), flow proceeds to stepS116, where the control unit 205 stores the number T of tab sheets usedin the main printing from printing start to printing pause in the HDD209.

Next, the flow advances to step S117, where the control unit 205performs excess tab output control as described below. After finishingexcess tab output control, the flow proceeds to step S118, where thecontrol unit 205 controls the printer unit 203 to control printing ofthe confirmation print pages. Then, in step S119, the control unit 205determines whether the confirmation printing is completed.

If in step S119 it is determined that confirmation printing iscompleted, the flow advances to step S120, where the excess tab outputcontrol is performed. Next, step S121 the control unit 205 reopens thepaused printing of the main printing. The flow then returns to step S107in FIG. 17A. That is, after the confirmation page is printed forconfirmation upon the reopening of the main printing, the control unit205 uses the same type of sheet as the sheet used for confirmationprinting and prints the confirmation pages.

The sequence of excess tab output control in step S117 and step S120will be described in further detail with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 19.

First, in step S301, the control unit 205 obtains N number of tab sheetsworth one set which is set in the sheet supply of the printing apparatus100. The settings for the number of tab ears for one set of tab sheetscan be set beforehand with a screen as illustrated in FIG. 15. Also, inthe case that tab sheets are not set in the sheet supply, the number Nof tab ears worth one set is 0.

Next, in step S302, the control unit 205 obtains the number T of tabsheets used in the job stored in the HDD 209 in S116. In the case thattab sheets are not used, the number T of tab sheets used is 0.

Next, in step S303, the control unit 205 determines whether excess tabshave occurred. Specifically, tab sheets are used for jobs duringprinting, and in the case that an integer multiple of N is not equal toT when the number of tab ears N worth one set and the number T of tabsused are compared, determination is made that excess tabs have occurred.In other words, in the case that tab sheets worth the number of sheetsmatching (N tab ears×integer) are used, determination is made thatexcess tabs have not occurred.

If it is determined that excess tabs have not occurred, the flow ends.If it is determined that excess tabs have occurred, then in step S304,the control unit 205 determines whether the excess tab automatic outputsetting is set to ON. If it is set to ON, then the flow proceeds to stepS305, else the flow proceeds to step S307.

The settings for excess tab automatic output can be set beforehand asillustrated in FIG. 22, and the main printing apparatus 100 stores themain settings in HDD 209. For example, if the operator presses the usermode button 505 in the key input unit 402, a screen such as that in FIG.20 is controlled to be displayed on the touch panel unit 401.

If the shared specification settings button 800 is pressed, a menu isdisplayed whereby shared settings of the printing apparatus 100 can bechanged. If a setting button 903 is pressed on a screen as shown in FIG.21, an excess tab automatic output setting screen (FIG. 22) isdisplayed, whereby ON/OFF settings are enabled.

Returning to FIG. 19, in step S305, if a one-page confirmation print isselected as the type of confirmation printing, then in step S306, thecontrol unit 205 takes the tab sheets worth N−1 from the sheet supplywherein used tab sheets are set and outputs as excess tabs.

If the type of confirmation printing selected in step S110 is not aone-page confirmation print, then in step S309, the control unit 205takes mN−T worth from the sheet supply wherein used tab sheets are set,and outputs as excess tabs. Now, m is a positive integer, and m isselected such that mN>T.

If the excess tab automatic output setting in step S304 is OFF, then instep S307, the control unit 205 displays a message for removing mN−Tworth as excess tabs on the user interface unit 401. Also, the screendisplayed in S304 includes an excess tab output ending button fornotifying the control unit 205 that the removal of excess tabs hasended. If, in step S308, the control unit 205 detects that the excesstab output ending button is pressed by the user, the excess tabautomatic output control processing ends, and the flow advances to thenext step.

As an example, a case is described wherein control is performed todisplay a screen to assist the user with excess tab output in the casethat the excess tab automatic output setting is OFF, but when evaluatingthe state of printing of large capacity jobs including tab sheets, theseare not limited to such a case. For example, an arrangement may be madewherein a screen is not displayed for the user to output excess tabs,but a screen may be displayed to notify the user to turn the excess tabautomatic output settings to ON. Also, in the case that the excessautomatic output settings are OFF, an arrangement may be made whereinthe selection screen to select whether or not tab sheets are used forconfirmation printing in step S200 is not displayed, but settings may bemade not to automatically use tab sheets for confirmation printing.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, in the case that a confirmation print requestis received, the screen in FIG. 13B is displayed, and the user canselect the type of confirmation printing. In the case that “one sheet”is selected, the control unit 205 executes the processing in FIGS. 18and 19 to prepare for the case of using tab sheets, for example, for theconfirmation print pages. In a second embodiment, a description will beprovided for a processing to display a setting screen (FIG. 25) whereinthe control unit 205 can specify to print from the confirmation pagedetermined according to the confirmation print instructions up to thelast page of the printing job to simplify the processing. Only thedifferences between the second embodiment and first embodiment will bedescribed herein.

The flowchart in FIG. 24 shows that processing is executed after adetermination in step S107 of FIG. 17A that actual printing has not beencompleted.

In step S2501, The control unit 205 determines whether the confirmationprint request is received. If it is determined that the request isreceived, then in step S2502, it is determined whether use of tab sheetsis included in the printing jobs.

If it is determined in step S2502 that use of tab sheets is included,then in step S2503, the control unit 205 displays a screen (e.g. FIG.25) whereby confirmation print “one page” cannot be selected. Note thatFIG. 25 disables selecting of “one page” by, for example, graying out“one page”.

In accordance with the selection in step S2503, in step S2504, thecontrol unit 205 prints from the confirmation page determined accordingto the confirmation print request to the last page of the print job.

The present embodiment provides for preventing the occurrence of excesstabs which occur when the confirmation print pages are pages using tabsheets. While the processing in the second embodiment is described as aseparate processes from that of the first embodiment, the process of thefirst embodiment may be executed following the processing of the secondembodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodimentsdescribed above, and various modifications may be made in accordancewith the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example, the controlunit 205 within the printing apparatus 100 is the main unit for varioustypes of control, but a configuration may be made to execute a portionor all of the various types of control with an externally attachedcontroller in a separate casing from the printing apparatus 100.

According to the present invention, desired printed material can beoutput while realizing confirmation printing.

Note that the present invention may be applied to a system consisting ofmultiple apparatuses (e.g. host computer, interface apparatus, reader,printer, and so forth) or may be applied to an apparatus consisting of asingle apparatus (e.g. photocopier, facsimile apparatus, and so forth).Also, the present invention can supply a recording medium which hasprogram codes recorded therein to realize the above-described embodimentfunctions to a system or apparatus, and a computer of such system orapparatus reads the process codes stored in the storage medium. In thiscase, the program code itself which is read from the storage mediumrealizes the function of the above-described embodiments, and theprogram code itself as well as the storage medium storing the programcode can make up the present invention.

Also, the present invention includes cases wherein, based oninstructions from the program code, an operating system (OS) operatingon a computer performs a portion or all of the actual processing, andthe functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by suchprocessing. Further, the present invention may be applied to caseswherein the program code read from the storage medium is written intomemory of a function expansion card inserted in the computer or afunction expansion unit connected to the computer. In such a case, basedon the instructions of the program code written in, a CPU associatedwith the function expansion card or function expansion unit performs aportion or all of the actual processing, and the functions of theembodiment described above are realized with such processing.

Also, the embodiments of the present invention are described asapparatuses or methods configured with the present invention as a corethereof. Therefore, the embodiments also describe configuration elementswhich can be added to the primary portions of the present invention.That is to say, providing configuration elements for apparatuses ormethods described with the embodiments of the present invention offerssufficient conditions for establishing the present invention, but theseare not indispensable.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Application No.2007-205409 filed Aug. 7, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: areceiving unit configured to receive a confirm printed materialinstruction to confirm printed material of a printing job duringprinting processing of the printing job, wherein the printing jobincludes at least one page printed on a specialized recording medium forprinting; a first determining unit configured to determine a first pageto be printed, as a confirmation page, from pages included in theprinting job according to the confirm printed material instructionreceived by the receiving unit; a second determining unit configured todetermine, when the first page is printed on the specialized recordingmedium, a second page to be printed as a confirmation page, wherein thesecond page is printed on a recording medium different from thespecialized recording medium from the pages included in the printingjob; and a display unit configured to display a screen to enable ordisable a function to output an excess recording medium of thespecialized recording medium, wherein the specialized recording mediumis included in one set composed of a plurality of the specializedrecording media, wherein the excess recording medium is a sheet which isexcess of the one set, and wherein, during printing processing of theprinting job and in response to the confirm printed materialinstruction, when the first page is printed on the specialized recordingmedium, the first page is printed in a single specialized recordingmedium and the second page is printed in two recording media other thanthe plurality of specialized recording media, and when the first page isnot printed on the specialized recording medium, the first page isprinted in two recording media other than the plurality of specializedrecording media and the second page is printed in a single recordingmedium other than the plurality of specialized recording media, whereinone of the two printed recording media is the confirmation page as perthe confirm printed material instruction.
 2. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an input unit configured toinput printing processing content for confirming the printed material;and a third determining unit configured to determine whether pagesfollowing the first page include a page printed on the specializedrecording medium, wherein, in response to determining that input is madewith the input unit to print using a recording medium different from thespecialized recording medium and the third determining unit determiningthat there are no pages printed on the specialized recording medium forany pages following the first page, the first page which is determinedby the first determining unit is printed using a recording medium thatis different from the specialized recording medium.
 3. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specialized recording mediumis a tab sheet.
 4. A method for an image forming apparatus, the methodcomprising: receiving a confirm printed material instruction to confirmprinted material of a printing job during printing processing of theprinting job, wherein the printing job includes at least one pageprinted on a specialized recording medium for printing; determining afirst page to be printed, as a confirmation page, from pages included inthe printing job according to the received confirm printed materialinstruction; determining, using a central processing unit and when thefirst page is printed on the specialized recording medium, a second pageto be printed as a confirmation page, wherein the second page is printedon a recording medium different from the specialized recording mediumfrom the pages included in the printing job; and displaying a screen toenable or disable a function to output an excess recording medium of thespecialized recording medium, wherein the specialized recording mediumis included in one set composed of a plurality of the specializedrecording media, wherein the excess recording medium is a sheet which isexcess of the one set, and wherein, during printing processing of theprinting job and in response to the confirm printed materialinstruction, when the first page is printed on the specialized recordingmedium, the first page is printed in a single specialized recordingmedium and the second page is printed in two recording media other thanthe plurality of specialized recording media, and when the first page isnot printed on the specialized recording medium, the first page isprinted in two recording media other than the plurality of specializedrecording media and the second page is printed in a single recordingmedium other than the plurality of specialized recording media, whereinone of the two printed recording media is the confirmation page as perthe confirm printed material instruction.
 5. The method according toclaim 4, further comprising: inputting printing processing content forconfirming the printed material; and determining whether pages followingthe first page include a page printed on the specialized recordingmedium, wherein, in response to determining that input is made to printusing a recording medium different from the specialized recording mediumand determining that there are no pages printed on the specializedrecording medium for any pages following the first page, the determinedfirst page is printed using a recording medium that is different fromthe specialized recording medium.
 6. The method according to claim 4,wherein the specialized recording medium is a tab sheet.
 7. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program causing animage forming apparatus to perform a method, the method comprising:receiving a confirm printed material instruction to confirm printedmaterial of a printing job during printing processing of the printingjob, wherein the printing job includes at least one page printed on aspecialized recording medium for printing; determining a first page tobe printed, as a confirmation page, from pages included in the printingjob according to the received confirm printed material instruction;determining, using a central processing unit and when the first page isprinted on the specialized recording medium, a second page to be printedas a confirmation page, wherein the second page is printed on arecording medium different from the specialized recording medium fromthe pages included in the printing job; and displaying a screen toenable or disable a function to output an excess recording medium of thespecialized recording medium, wherein the specialized recording mediumis included in one set composed of a plurality of the specializedrecording media, wherein the excess recording medium is a sheet which isexcess of the one set, and wherein, during printing processing of theprinting job and in response to the confirm printed materialinstruction, when the first page is printed on the specialized recordingmedium, the first page is printed in a single specialized recordingmedium and the second page is printed in two recording media other thanthe plurality of specialized recording media, and when the first page isnot printed on the specialized recording medium, the first page isprinted in two recording media other than the plurality of specializedrecording media and the second page is printed in a single recordingmedium other than the plurality of specialized recording media, whereinone of the two printed recording media is the confirmation page as perthe confirm printed material instruction.
 8. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 7, further comprising:inputting printing processing content for confirming the printedmaterial; and determining whether pages following the first page includea page printed on the specialized recording medium, wherein, in responseto determining that input is made to print using a recording mediumdifferent from the specialized recording medium and determining thatthere are no pages printed on the specialized recording medium for anypages following the first page, the determined first page is printedusing a recording medium that is different from the specializedrecording medium.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 7, wherein the specialized recording medium is a tabsheet.
 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, whereinprinted material of the second page is conveyed to an escape path. 11.The method according to claim 4, wherein printed material of the secondpage is conveyed to an escape path.
 12. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 7, wherein printed materialof the second page is conveyed to an escape path.
 13. The image formingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein, in response to settinginformation for a shifting processing for printing on the specializedrecording medium being set as to the first page, the image formingapparatus prints the first page on a recording medium that is differentfrom the specialized recording medium without executing the shiftingprocessing based on the setting information.
 14. The method according toclaim 6, wherein, in response to setting information for a shiftingprocessing for printing on the specialized recording medium being set asto the first page, the image forming apparatus prints the first page ona recording medium that is different from the specialized recordingmedium without executing the shifting processing based on the settinginformation.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium accordingto claim 9, wherein, in response to setting information for a shiftingprocessing for printing on the specialized recording medium being set asto the first page, the image forming apparatus prints the first page ona recording medium that is different from the specialized recordingmedium without executing the shifting processing based on the settinginformation.